ARC Executive Director Jack Campbell announces retirement

Pictured from left are Jack Campbell – executive director of The Arc of Madison Cortland; Barb McDermott – retired assistant executive director and compliance officer at The Arc of Madison Cortland; and Ray Lewandowski – retired executive director of The Arc of Madison Cortland.

Following a long career of public service and leadership,
The Arc of Madison Cortland Executive Director Jack Campbell announces his
retirement.

Campbell began working at the non-profit agency as a vocational
evaluator. At that time, there were approximately 50 employees supporting
roughly 175 people with developmental disabilities. During his 42 years of
employment and working in more than half a dozen positions at The Arc of
Madison Cortland, he said he has witnessed growth within the agency.

With the heart and inspiration of many parents, family
members and friends, programs were developed at The Arc of Madison Cortland.
Through the years, programs, supports and services have evolved and expanded.

Today, The Arc of Madison Cortland employs approximately 500
people and supports more than one thousand people throughout Madison and
Cortland counties.

“After the Willowbrook Consent Decree, I saw the
closing of the snake pit institutions and witnessed the move to community-based
services, which integrated people into the fabric of society,” said Campbell. “There
is still much to do to change people’s minds about the abilities of people with
developmental disabilities. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, to move peoples’ prejudices
and preconceived notions.”

Grassroots advocacy is how The Arc of Madison Cortland
formed as founding parents realized their children not only needed, but
deserved, a fair chance to succeed in life.

“I can retire from ‘work,’ but I can never retire from being
an advocate for our families and the people we support,” Campbell said.

Campbell will retire effective June 30, 2019, and Perry
Courto, associate executive director and CFO, will assume the role of executive
director July 1, 2019.

Perry has been with The Arc of Madison Cortland for more
than 20 years.

“His skill set is exactly what is needed to move the agency
into the future,” said Randy Schaal, Board of Directors president.